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1 Journal home page: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE AND APPLIED RESEARCH RESEARCH ARTICLE A First Case Report of Feline Infectious Peritonitis in a Domestic Cat in Pakistan *Ghazanfar Abbas 1, Mudassar Niaz Mughal 1, Muhammad Nadeem Asi 2 and Ghulam Muhammad 2 1. Faculty of Veterinary Sciences (FVS), University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF)-38040, Punjab, Pakistan. 2. Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery (CMS), Faculty of Veterinary Sciences (FVS), University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF)-38040, Punjab, Pakistan. Abstract: The present case report highlights the imperil effect of effusive form of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) in the cat s population. Feline Infectious Peritonitis Virus (FIPV) is the causative agent of FIP. In cat s high fever, anorexia, weight loss and ascities are primary clinical signs associated with FIP. A similar case was presented at veterinary teaching hospital, Department of Clinical Medicine & Surgery (CMS), University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), Pakistan. Diagnosis was made on the basis of clinical signs, history, positive Rivalta test, complete blood count (CBC) and serum biochemistry findings including neutrophilic leukocytosis, lymphopenia and hyperglobuliemia, elevated liver enzymes and blood urea nitrogen, respectively. The significant findings of the postmortem examination were presence of whitish fibrinous fluid in abdominal and peritoneal cavity covering liver, kidney, spleen and intestine which are pathognomonic for FIP. Key Words: Feline infectious peritonitis, CBC, Serum biochemistry, Postmortem lesions. Introduction Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is highly fatal viral disease of domestic and feral cats (Pederson et al., 2009). Feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV), the causative agent of FIP belongs to feline corona virus (FCoV) biotype 1. FCoVs are RNA, single stranded, positive sense, enveloped viruses belonging to Coronaviridae family. Following entry of FCoV into body through feco-oral route, the virus multiplies into the epithelial cells of intestine leading to development of diarrhea, which is usually seen due to feline enteric corona virus (FECV). Both FECV (non lethal) and FIPV (lethal) could be present at the same time inside the body; however mutation of FECV can also occur into FIPV at any time. Several factors such as signalment, any stress, immune status, steroid therapy and concurrent infection play a significant role for viral mutation. The mutated virus is phagocytized and starts replicating in the macrophages and lymph nodes, spread throughout the body via blood circulation, attract antibodies, makes antigen-antibody complex leading to release of vasoactive substances and protein rich fluid in peritoneal and abdominal cavity that contributes towards the development of classical signs of disease (Pederson et al., 1995). Generally there are two types of FIP, one is wet or effusive form characterized by immune mediated excessive accumulation of inflammatory exudates in the body cavities and other is dry or non-effusive form, characterized by presence of granulomatous or pyogranulomatous lesions especially in the, mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, kidney, bowl wall, CNS and eyes (Montali and Stranberg., 1972). FIP falls among the leading infectious causes of death in young cats from shelters and catteries. This disease is distributed throughout the world. In the United State, it is most commonly seen disease of cats. Generally, seroprevelance of FECV is reported to be 80-90% in catteries living cats, while up to 50% in companionless cats (Simons et al., 2005). Not a single study has been conducted in Indian sub-continent in order to determine seroprevelance of FIP in cats. The present case report is mainly focused on diagnosis and prevention of FIP. Case Description A 1.5 year old domesticated short haired female cat weighing about 5 kg was presented at veterinary teaching hospital, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan for the evaluation of 25 days history of recurrent ascities, lethargy, anorexia and polydipsia. Clinical examination revealed dehydration, anemia, mild nasal discharge and ascities. Temperature, respiration and heart beat were 104, 30 breaths/minute and 140 beats/minute, respectively. A complete blood count (CBC) and serum biochemistry profile 21

2 revealed neutrophilic leukocytosis, anemia and hyperglobuliemia, respectively. She was treated with fluid therapy, antibiotic along with steroid and discharged with the advice to continue this treatment for next 2 days. After 2 days she was again presented in moribund state following sever clinical deterioration, having distended abdomen and dyspnea. In spite of further supportive treatment the cat died within 3 hours. Postmortem was conducted with the aim of investigation of the cause of death. Necropsy Findings Major necropsy findings were present in abdominal and peritoneal cavity. While opening peritoneal cavity approximately 80 ml of thick, viscous, white colored fluid appeared. All the abdominal organs were covered with fibrinous material especially liver, kidney, spleen, large and small intestine. Abdominal cavity reveled about 200 ml of fluid having same appearance as of peritoneal cavity fluid. There was development of adhesion between affected organs and body walls. Microbiological examination of the sample taken from affected organs revealed nothing after inoculation on sheep blood agar and Sabourad dextrose agar. Rivalta test was performed by taking 7-8 ml of distill water and mixing of 1 drop of 98% acetic thoroughly in it. One drop of peritoneal fluid was spread carefully on it, which stayed there on the surface and gave jelly like appearance indicating presence of FIP associated exudate. However virus isolation was not conducted. Based on clinical signs, anamnesis, physical examination, hematological and serum biochemistry findings, microbiological examination, Rivalta test and characteristic postmortem findings it was diagnosed to be a case of effusive/ wet form of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Table.1 Complete blood count (CBC) Parameters Presenting Values Reference Values Red blood cells (RBC) (10 12 g/l) Packed cell volume (PCV) (%) Hemoglobin (Hgb) (g/dl) Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (fl) Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) (pg) Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (10 g/l) White blood cells (WBC) (10 9 /L) Neutrophils (%) Lymphocytes (%) Monocytes (%) Basophils (%) Nill Rare Eosinophils (%) (Reference values, from The Merk Veterinary Manual 9 th edition) Table.2 Serum biochemistry Parameters Presenting Values Reference Values AST (μ/l) ALT (μ/l) Albumin (g/dl) Globulin ( g/dl) Alkaline Phosphatase (μ/l) Creatinine (mg/dl) Blood Urea Nitrogen (mg/dl) (Reference values, from The Merk Veterinary Manual 9 th edition) 22

3 Fig. 1 Thick straw colored fluid present in the peritoneal cavity Fig. 2 Organs of abdominal cavity are covered with straw colored fluid 23

4 Fig. 3 Spleen and liver covered by fibrinous material Fig. 4 Intestine covered with straw colored fluid. Discussion FIP has been reported in all breeds of cats; however feral cats are less susceptible to infection. Although kittens, young cats and male are more susceptible to this disease, however any age group can be susceptible. The clinical signs in affected cat of this case study were fever, abdominal distension due to ascities and anorexia as previously described by Wolfe et al., (1966). Major findings of the complete blood count (CBC) at the time of presentation were leukocytosis especially neutrophilia and mild anemia (Table 1). Serum biochemistry analysis revealed hyperglobuliemia, increased liver enzymes and blood urea nitrogen (Table 2). Hartmann et al., (2003 a ) described similar hematological and serum biochemistry findings in cats affected with wet form of FIP. Pathognomonic 24

5 postmortem lesion was presence of fibrinous straw colored exudate in abdominal and peritoneal cavity covering liver, kidney, spleen and intestine (Figure 1-4) as previously reported by Hardy et al., (1969). A simple diagnostic test named Rivalta, if positive is suggestive for effusive form of FIP (Hartmann et al., 2003 b ). Disease is present throughout the world affecting all breeds of cats however; the incidence of development of disease in the pure-breed cats is reported to be high because of lack of hybrid vigor. There is no effective treatment for FIP; disease can only be prevented by effective managemental strategies. If the affected cat becomes lifelong carrier then it will shed the same viral biotype throughout its life. Virus can remain active in fecal material up to 7-8 weeks which is potential source of infection for healthy cats in litter box, so proper disposal of fecal material along with keeping healthy cats away from infected litter box is effective preventive strategy. Reducing the population of cats, early weaning of new born kittens (Addie and Jarrett, 1990), keeping cats in separate cages, efficient hygiene and cattery design, careful selection of breeding male, screening of affected cats and vaccination are key elements to reduce incidence of the disease. References Addie DD, Jarret O. (1990): Feline corona virus infections. In Infectious Diseases of Dog and Cat. Edited by Greene CE. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, Hardy WD, O Reilly. (1969): Feline infectious peritonitis and pleuritis. Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association., 155: Hartmann K, Christina B, Johannes H, Dana C, Manfred R, Simone S, Jens F, Herman E, Hans L, Walter H. (2003) a : Comparison of different tests to diagnose feline infectious peritonitis. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine., 17: Hartmann K, Christina B, Johannes H, Dana C, Manfred R, Simone S, Jens F, Herman E, Hans L, Walter H. (2003) b : Comparison of different tests to diagnose feline infectious peritonitis. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine., 17: Montali RJ, Standberg JD. (1972): Extraperitoneal lesions in the feline infectious peritonitis. Veterinary Pathology 9: Pederson NC. (2009): A review of feline infectious peritonitis virus infection. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery., 11: Pederson NC. (1995): An overview of feline enteric corona virus and infectious peritonitis virus. Journal of Feline Practices., 23: 7-20 Simons FA, Vennema H, Roffina JE. (2005) : A mrna PCR for the diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis. Journal of Virology Methods., 124: 11 Wolfe LG, Griesemer RA. (1966): Feline infectious peritonitis. Veterinary Pathology., 3 :